Moisture-Permeable and Waterproof Sock

ABSTRACT

A moisture-permeable and waterproof sock includes a sock body and a moisture-permeable and waterproof layer The sock body is made of an elastic and stretchable fabric material, and includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a receiving space, the outer surface being divided into an uncovered region that has an opening for insertion of the user&#39;s foot into said receiving space, and a covered region continuously extending from the uncovered region and away from the opening. The moisture-permeable and waterproof layer is only formed on the covered region of the outer surface for preventing water from entering into the sock body while allowing moisture to escape from the receiving space of the sock body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 105205441 filed on Apr. 19, 2016.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a sock, more particularly to a moisture--permeable and waterproof sock.

BACKGROUND

The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body. Therefore, socks are mainly worn to absorb sweat that is produced by the feet. To improve comfort of use, socks are designed to absorb the sweat from the skin of a user and deliver the sweat away from the skin.

Socks can be made from a wide variety of materials, and are usually made from knitted fabrics which have breathability and moisture absorbing properties, but still are not capable of repelling water. Thus, when the socks are worn in a wet environment, e.g., during rainy weather, the socks are likely to become wet and the moisture may enter into the shoes, causing discomfort or even causing illness, such as athlete's foot.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the disclosure, the moisture-permeable and waterproof sock includes

a sock body which is made of an elastic and stretchable fabric material, and which includes an inner surface and an outer surface that is opposite to the inner surface, the inner surface defining a receiving space for receiving a user's foot, the outer surface being divided into an uncovered region that has an opening for insertion of the user's foot into the receiving space, and a covered region continuously extending from the uncovered region and away from the opening, the covered region having a foot portion that corresponds in position to the user's foot; and

a moisture-permeable and waterproof layer only formed on the covered region of the outer surface of the sock body for preventing water from entering into the sock body while allowing moisture to escape from the receiving space of the sock body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure w 11 become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the first embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a sock body and a moisture-permeable and waterproof layer of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an outer surface of the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer of the first embodiment that is dull finished;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer of the first embodiment having color appearance;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the second embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the third embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the fourth embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the first embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock that includes a sock body 1 and a moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2. The sock in FIG. 1 is disposed on a shoe tree 4 for maintaining a configuration of the sock.

The sock body 1 is made of an elastic and stretchable fabric material which may be knitted or non-woven, and includes an inner surface 11 and an outer surface 12 that is opposite to the inner surface 11. The inner surface 11 defines a receiving space 10 for receiving a user's foot. The outer surface 12 is divided into an uncovered region 122 that has the opening 100 for insertion of the user's foot into the receiving space 10, and a covered region 121 continuously extending from the uncovered region 122 and away from the opening 100. The covered region 121 has a foot portion 123 that corresponds in position to the user's foot. The opening 100 is in spatial communication with the receiving space 10. Therefore, the user's foot may be inserted into the receiving space 10 through the opening 100. In this embodiment, the sock is a short sock, and the sock body 1 is formed with patterns optionally having different colors.

The moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 is only formed on the covered region 121 of the outer surface 12 of the sock body 1 for preventing water from entering into the sock body 1 while allowing moisture to escape from the receiving space 10 of the sock body 1. In other words, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 is not formed on the uncovered region 122. Since the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 is not formed on the uncovered region. 122 of the outer surface 12 of the sock body 1, the elasticity and stretchability of the sock body 1 at the opening 100 would not be adversely affected by the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2. Thus, it maybe easier for a user to put his/her foot into the receiving space 10. Moreover, the position arrangement of the covered region 121 and the uncovered region 122 would provide an aesthetic appearance and visual difference.

The moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 may be in the form of a porous membrane or a non-porous membrane. The porous membrane has a plurality of pores, each of which has a diameter smaller than that of a water molecule and larger than that of a water vapor molecule. The porous membrane is waterproof and moisture-permeable by way of a proper pore size arrangement. The non-porous membrane is free of pores and has a hydrophilic functional group-providing side and a hydrophobic functional group-providing side. When the non-porous membrane serves as the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2, the water vapor molecules will be adsorbed on the hydrophilic functional group-providing side, diffused to the hydrophobic functional group-providing side through capillary action and finally transpired to the environment.

In this embodiment, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 is transparent so that the patterns of the sock body 1 can be visible. In this embodiment, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 has an outer surface 21 opposite to the outer surface 12 of the sock body 1 and the outer surface 21 of the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 is a glossy surface.

However, as shown in FIG. 3, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 can be a dull-finished surface.

In certain embodiments, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 may be made from a material, e.g., polyurethane, polyethylene (PE), polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, also called acrylic). In certain embodiments, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 is made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

In certain embodiments, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 has a water resistance greater than 2000 mm as measured by the method in accordance with JIS L-1092B. In certain embodiments, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 has a moisture permeability greater than 2000 g/m²/24 hr as measured by the method in accordance with JIS L-1099B1.

Referring to FIG. 4, in certain embodiments, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 may further include a pigment and thus have a color appearance. In certain embodiments, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 may further have one of anti-bacterial and anti-UV functions by virtue of adding an antibacterial agent and a UV absorber, respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates the second embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure. The sock of the second embodiment is a stocking. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that, in the second embodiment, the uncovered region 122 further has a leg portion 124 that corresponds in position to the user's leg and that extends from the foot portion 123 of the covered region 121 to the opening 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates the third embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure. The sock of the third embodiment is a stocking. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that, in the third embodiment, the covered region 121 further has a leg portion 124 that extends from the foot portion 123 and that corresponds in position to the user's leg. In other words, the leg portion 124 is disposed between the foot portion 123 and the uncovered region 122.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the fourth embodiment of a moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure. The fourth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that, in the fourth embodiment, the sock further includes a three-dimensional pattern layer 3 interposed between the outer surface 12 of the sock body 1 and the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2, and located at a position corresponding to a sole of the user's foot. A portion of the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 that contacts the three-dimensional pattern layer 3 has a contour corresponding to the three-dimensional pattern layer 3. In this embodiment, the three-dimensional pattern layer includes a plurality of protruding dots 31.

A method of making the moisture-permeable and waterproof sock according to the disclosure includes the following steps: (a) sock body-providing step, (b) immersing step, and (c) resin layer forming step.

In step (a) the sock body 1 is provided and worn on a shoe tree 4 for maintaining a configuration of the sock body 1.

Step (b) includes immersing the sock body 1 along with the shoe tree 4 into a bath of moisture-permeable and waterproof resin for a predetermined immersing time to adhere a moisture-permeable and waterproof resin material onto the outer surface 12 of the sock body 1 to form a resin layer. Thereafter, the sock body 1 along with the shoe tree 4 is removed from the bath and is rotated along the central axis of the shoe tree 4 to form an even resin layer of the moisture-permeable and waterproof resin on the outer surface 12 of the sock body 1.

Step (c) is conducted by drying the resin layer to form the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2. In certain embodiments, step (c) is conducted by placing the sock body 1 in an oven together with the resin layer at a predetermined heating temperature for a predetermined heating time. The immersing time, heating temperature and heating time may be adjusted based on the thickness of the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 and the composition of the resin material. For instance, the immersing time may range from 5 seconds to 20 seconds, and the heating temperature and heating time may range from 50° C. to 180° C. and 1 minute to 30 minutes, respectively.

In steps (a) to (c), the sock body 1 is stretched into the configuration similar to the one worn by a user. Therefore, when the moisture-permeable and waterproof sock thus obtained is being worn, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 can also be evenly formed on the sock body 1, thereby providing good moisture-permeable and waterproof effects. It should be noted that, if the sock body 1 is not stretched during forming of the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2, the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 thus formed may be deformed when the moisture-permeable and waterproof sock is being stretched, e.g., worn by the user.

In summary, with the moisture-permeable and. waterproof layer 2, the sock of this disclosure provides good moisture-permeable and waterproof effects. Moreover, since the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer 2 is only formed on the covered region 121 of the outer surface 12 of the sock body 1 (i.e., not formed on the uncovered region 122), the elasticity and stretchability of the sock body 1 at the opening 100 would not be adversely affected.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment (s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is (are) considered the exemplary embodiment(s), it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A moisture-permeable and waterproof sock, comprising: a sock body which is made of an elastic and stretchable fabric material, and which includes an inner surface and an outer surface that is opposite to said inner surface, said inner surface defining a receiving space for receiving a user's foot, said outer surface being divided into an uncovered region that has an opening for insertion of the user's foot into said receiving space, and a covered region continuously extending from said uncovered region and away from said opening, said covered region having a foot portion that corresponds in position to the user's foot; and a moisture-permeable and waterproof layer only formed on said covered region of said outer surface of said sock body for preventing water from entering into said sock body while allowing moisture to escape from said receiving space of said sock body.
 2. The sock of claim 1, further comprising a three-dimensional pattern layer interposed between said outer surface of said sock body and said moisture-permeable and waterproof layer, and located at a position corresponding to a sole of the user's foot.
 3. The sock of claim 1, wherein said moisture-permeable and waterproof layer includes a pigment.
 4. The sock of claim 1, wherein said moisture-permeable and waterproof layer has an outer surface opposite to said outer surface of said sock body.
 5. The sock of claim 4, wherein the outer surface of said moisture-permeable and waterproof layer is a glossy surface.
 6. The sock of claim 4, wherein the outer surface of said moisture-permeable and waterproof layer is a dull finished surface.
 7. The sock of claim 1, wherein the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethene, and polymethylmethacrylate.
 8. The sock of claim 1, wherein the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer has a water resistance greater than 2000 mm as measured by the method in accordance with JIS L-1092B.
 9. The sock of claim 1, wherein the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer has a moisture permeability greater than 2000 g/m²/24 hr as measured by the method in accordance with JIS L-1099B1.
 10. The sock of claim 9, wherein the moisture-permeable and waterproof layer is made from thermoplastic polyurethane. 